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Bloody Bargain
Ancient, enslaved, a hunger worse than death...
D'abel has been trapped for centuries by the time a human woman kills his guard.
And the moment he sees her, he needs her.
Her flesh within his python fangs, her blood on his scales, her tongue tangled with his...
He will have all of her. Her violence, her hate, and her soul.
Compulsive, dangerous, a ticking time bomb...
Tessa Voss knows that her time is running out.
Someday she'll make a mistake. Someday she'll kill the wrong person.
When she finds an ancient creature chained up in the Welsh countryside that says he can help?
She has no choice but to make a deal.
Bloody Bargain is book 1 of the Spite and Spirits series. It's a darker romance with an elemental creature, fallen gods, eldritch horror elements, and strong violent themes. Readers of Mallory Dunlin and Zoey Draven will fall in love with these books. This book ends on a HFN as an introduction to the heroine and her three mates.
For more content notes, please visit ettapierceromance.com.
D'abel has been trapped for centuries by the time a human woman kills his guard.
And the moment he sees her, he needs her.
Her flesh within his python fangs, her blood on his scales, her tongue tangled with his...
He will have all of her. Her violence, her hate, and her soul.
Compulsive, dangerous, a ticking time bomb...
Tessa Voss knows that her time is running out.
Someday she'll make a mistake. Someday she'll kill the wrong person.
When she finds an ancient creature chained up in the Welsh countryside that says he can help?
She has no choice but to make a deal.
Bloody Bargain is book 1 of the Spite and Spirits series. It's a darker romance with an elemental creature, fallen gods, eldritch horror elements, and strong violent themes. Readers of Mallory Dunlin and Zoey Draven will fall in love with these books. This book ends on a HFN as an introduction to the heroine and her three mates.
For more content notes, please visit ettapierceromance.com.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
90 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Etta Pierce
16 books307 followersI'm a hopeless academic and science fiction romance author. I write intelligent women, complicated men, and slow burn steam! My first series, the Intersolar Union Series, is ongoing with many more series and books planned for the future. Strap in for the long haul, guys, I'm here to stay and crank out some good romantic fiction!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 13, 2025
4.5 stars
Tessa was such the stabby FMC and I was not expecting the twist at the very start of the book. Her trauma responses dictated a lot of her relationship with D’abel, especially during the first half of the book. There was a lot of body horror and the plot was dark AF with MCs doing their best (for the most part) while living their morally gray, sometimes morally dark gray, lives. I liked the resistance to emotionally attachment that Tessa dealt with. The only thing that I disliked was the jump to contemplating being in love with D’abel after so little time together. Looking forward to the next book!
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, gore, voraphilia, horror elements, nonconsensual thunderstorm having sex with FMC (yes, the storm has sex with her), somnophilia, death, torture, discovery of murdered pregnant woman, possession, grief, trauma responses
Tessa was such the stabby FMC and I was not expecting the twist at the very start of the book. Her trauma responses dictated a lot of her relationship with D’abel, especially during the first half of the book. There was a lot of body horror and the plot was dark AF with MCs doing their best (for the most part) while living their morally gray, sometimes morally dark gray, lives. I liked the resistance to emotionally attachment that Tessa dealt with. The only thing that I disliked was the jump to contemplating being in love with D’abel after so little time together. Looking forward to the next book!
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, gore, voraphilia, horror elements, nonconsensual thunderstorm having sex with FMC (yes, the storm has sex with her), somnophilia, death, torture, discovery of murdered pregnant woman, possession, grief, trauma responses
May 18, 2025
After finishing this book I can honestly say I have no idea what’s going on. This book reads like you should already have the information needed to understand the world and characters. I legit thought I missed something and started it over. If that wasn’t jarring and perplexing enough, the POVs aren’t given. I’m super annoyed at having to guess whose pov the chapter is in because it is unclear. Some chapters you couldn’t tell until halfway through.
Why is the American in a foreign country?? What is the purpose of her leaving America? I’m sure there are plenty of fiends to kill there so why go to these tiny villages? What happened to her? Something traumatic, but what? How did it ‘change’ her and make her be able to feel fiend? What exactly is the monster? I never really got a good enough explanation to understand.
Idk man, I really enjoy the authors other series. This was a big undeveloped hot mess to me. 🤷♀️
Why is the American in a foreign country?? What is the purpose of her leaving America? I’m sure there are plenty of fiends to kill there so why go to these tiny villages? What happened to her? Something traumatic, but what? How did it ‘change’ her and make her be able to feel fiend? What exactly is the monster? I never really got a good enough explanation to understand.
Idk man, I really enjoy the authors other series. This was a big undeveloped hot mess to me. 🤷♀️
May 21, 2025
3.25✨ (rounded to 3 for GR)
3.75🌶️
Bloody Bargain by Etta Pierce is Book 1 of the Spite and Spirits series. It strays away from EP's usual sci-fi style and instead forays into fantasy with elemental creatures and fallen gods - and goes darker than you've ever seen them before.
Eldritch type horror elements are huge in this story, especially seen in the MMC D'abel. It's a very different take from some of the more mainstream monster romances. It might not work for everyone, but it took some guts to go there and try something new. The setting is hellish, and it casts a shadow of brutality over the story itself. Humans are trying to survive against demons in a dystopian future, and they fear that the demons are winning.
EP is great at capturing descriptions that make you feel, from visceral discomfort at the more gory scenes to curiosity and interest during moments of romantic development. Writing was pretty on point, and I thought it was a decent length as a starter book for a series.
While I know this was a shot at something totally new from EP, I would've loved to have seen more of her rich and well-paced romantic development like in her Intersolar Union series. The relationship between FMC Tessa and D'abel was intriguing, but it felt like there was slower development during the first 75%, which made the development in the final act seem fast and somewhat unconvincing. I think a lot of this stems from Tessa as the FMC. Her character carries so much trauma and distrust from the events of the recent past, and her first reaction to anything is basically to stab it. I feel like maybe a slower relationship progress over a couple books perhaps would've worked more.
I also thought that instead of fleshing out the world and backstory of Tessa and the other characters, the flashbacks were actually confusing and took time away from the romantic development for me. The few flashbacks we had could've probably amounted to a couple paragraphs of exposition, which would've given more time to focus on Tessa's growth and growing trust and attraction to D'abel.
However, the ending of the book is what intrigued me the most. Now that we have Tessa in a somewhat better place and the setting more established, I think this series can go to some dark and eerie but great places. The twist of Tessa not only having D'abel as a mate but two others, Gamil and Tsemkhoa. Gamil is probably the character I was engaged with the most - his musings were entertaining and I think he's going to be a fun focus of the next book. Tsemkhoa's ending has me on the edge of my seat of what's going to happen next.
This is now a planned series, so Book 2 will continue the storyline this book established and follow the same characters. We'll see what EP cooks up next!
(also this is me recommending EP's alien romance books again because they are GREAT)
3.75🌶️
Bloody Bargain by Etta Pierce is Book 1 of the Spite and Spirits series. It strays away from EP's usual sci-fi style and instead forays into fantasy with elemental creatures and fallen gods - and goes darker than you've ever seen them before.
Eldritch type horror elements are huge in this story, especially seen in the MMC D'abel. It's a very different take from some of the more mainstream monster romances. It might not work for everyone, but it took some guts to go there and try something new. The setting is hellish, and it casts a shadow of brutality over the story itself. Humans are trying to survive against demons in a dystopian future, and they fear that the demons are winning.
EP is great at capturing descriptions that make you feel, from visceral discomfort at the more gory scenes to curiosity and interest during moments of romantic development. Writing was pretty on point, and I thought it was a decent length as a starter book for a series.
While I know this was a shot at something totally new from EP, I would've loved to have seen more of her rich and well-paced romantic development like in her Intersolar Union series. The relationship between FMC Tessa and D'abel was intriguing, but it felt like there was slower development during the first 75%, which made the development in the final act seem fast and somewhat unconvincing. I think a lot of this stems from Tessa as the FMC. Her character carries so much trauma and distrust from the events of the recent past, and her first reaction to anything is basically to stab it. I feel like maybe a slower relationship progress over a couple books perhaps would've worked more.
I also thought that instead of fleshing out the world and backstory of Tessa and the other characters, the flashbacks were actually confusing and took time away from the romantic development for me. The few flashbacks we had could've probably amounted to a couple paragraphs of exposition, which would've given more time to focus on Tessa's growth and growing trust and attraction to D'abel.
However, the ending of the book is what intrigued me the most. Now that we have Tessa in a somewhat better place and the setting more established, I think this series can go to some dark and eerie but great places. The twist of Tessa not only having D'abel as a mate but two others, Gamil and Tsemkhoa. Gamil is probably the character I was engaged with the most - his musings were entertaining and I think he's going to be a fun focus of the next book. Tsemkhoa's ending has me on the edge of my seat of what's going to happen next.
This is now a planned series, so Book 2 will continue the storyline this book established and follow the same characters. We'll see what EP cooks up next!
(also this is me recommending EP's alien romance books again because they are GREAT)
October 23, 2025
I can’t believe I read a book with a spice scene involving the description of bugs crawling under eyelids and still though “yeah, hot”.
This book was a fever dream but in the best possible way. To be honest I got to the end of the book and still have so many questions. We start to learn more as the story progresses so I imagine further detail will be revealed in book 2.
It was very different to Etta’s usual work but I enjoyed the change in genre. I really appreciated the grotesque descriptions and body horror throughout the book and think it’s the perfect Halloween read.
This book was a fever dream but in the best possible way. To be honest I got to the end of the book and still have so many questions. We start to learn more as the story progresses so I imagine further detail will be revealed in book 2.
It was very different to Etta’s usual work but I enjoyed the change in genre. I really appreciated the grotesque descriptions and body horror throughout the book and think it’s the perfect Halloween read.
June 19, 2025
This was SO FREAKING incredible. WHAT A DELIGHT!!! I loooove a good dark fantasy romance, and this little thing checked all of my boxes. This didn't shy from gore, smut, and horror, and the world building/magic is so, so interesting. I also had no idea that this was a RH/why choose situation and I am very pleasantly surprised! That element isn't revealed until about the last third, but boy did it make me feral!! I’ve been bamboozled into a series, and I'm not even mad about it. I'm definitely going to think about this book a lot (especially since it will be a FULL 😭 YEAR 😭 until the next book releases)
One criticism I've seen from others who rated this lowly is that things aren't explained to the reader; they're revealed over the course of the story--and I loved that. I feel like too often, especially in romance, writers tell and don't show, but Pierce really makes you work for it, and I am here for it!! Reading this, I would get too excited and get lost in what was happening, so I thought it was nice to slow down, reread the passage to make sure I understood everything, because I got way more out of the story and the world. There are some things left uncovered, but I hope they will be explained/explored in the next book in series!
One criticism I've seen from others who rated this lowly is that things aren't explained to the reader; they're revealed over the course of the story--and I loved that. I feel like too often, especially in romance, writers tell and don't show, but Pierce really makes you work for it, and I am here for it!! Reading this, I would get too excited and get lost in what was happening, so I thought it was nice to slow down, reread the passage to make sure I understood everything, because I got way more out of the story and the world. There are some things left uncovered, but I hope they will be explained/explored in the next book in series!
June 27, 2025
I'm honestly still very confused on my feelings of this story. let me start by stating I am a HUGE fan of Ettas stories , so I was super hyped for this release.
This had a very creepy , eerie, horror-ish vibe to it which I really enjoyed. It felt raw and gruesome.
But I kept getting thrown by what was going on, who's pov we where in, it made it very hard to follow at times.
I think because we are in the FMCs head a lot and she has lots of troubled thoughts and flashbacks, so that kept throwing me off? maybe I dunno 🤷🏻♀️
The monster- fucking part was pretty decent, split tongues and agile tails and all that good stuff. but again I kept struggling to follow along with what was where.
It took me a bout 3 reads of the same paragraph to figure out what was going on with the rainstorm situation...which does lean on side of dubious consent so keep that in mind.
Overall it wasn't bad. but I would struggle to reach for the next book in the series.
This had a very creepy , eerie, horror-ish vibe to it which I really enjoyed. It felt raw and gruesome.
But I kept getting thrown by what was going on, who's pov we where in, it made it very hard to follow at times.
I think because we are in the FMCs head a lot and she has lots of troubled thoughts and flashbacks, so that kept throwing me off? maybe I dunno 🤷🏻♀️
The monster- fucking part was pretty decent, split tongues and agile tails and all that good stuff. but again I kept struggling to follow along with what was where.
It took me a bout 3 reads of the same paragraph to figure out what was going on with the rainstorm situation...which does lean on side of dubious consent so keep that in mind.
Overall it wasn't bad. but I would struggle to reach for the next book in the series.
May 15, 2025
Series: Spite and Spirits #1
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Tess Voss knows that there are dangerous beings in the world and she is determined to take down as many as possible. When she finds an ancient creature chained up in the Welsh countryside, he offers a deal she can’t refuse.
This was an interesting world that was a mixture of fae and Eldritch horror. There are creatures called Auf who impersonate humans after feeding on their bodies. Normal humans don’t normally notice the change, but Tessa can after her first brush with one. While I think this world was interesting, I wish there had been a bit more world building. We get a minimal explanation of what is going on with this world and what the auf are, which made it a bit hard for me to really love this book. Personally, I prefer more of an explanation of the world and characters to happen in the first book, but it seems like the next book will explain more from the author’s note at the end.
Tessa is a hunter of the Auf creatures. She has abandoned everything she knew to destroy them and it has taken a toll on her body. I liked that Tessa was bloodthirsty and didn’t back down from the auf. Her motivations behind fighting though are still very vague, which was a bit disappointing. I wanted to know why she was doing this from the beginning but the few flashbacks we get don’t give a clear answer. Hopefully we see more character backstory from her in the next book.
D’abel was imprisoned for eight hundred years. His freedom from the chains came because he offered a deal with Tessa, but he doesn’t disclose what it involves. D’abel was an interesting character because he is a sea serpent/naga who instantly falls for Tessa. He loves her aggression and hatred of him. I liked D’abel because of his willingness to do anything for Tessa.
Tessa and D’abel’s relationship was an accident on Tessa’s part but not on D’abels. The deal they make links them together with a blood exchange and now they are basically married. It was an interesting concept and I enjoyed it for the most part. I found the transformation process for both of them an interesting addition and wonder what other things it changed for Tessa.
This book ends with a potential why choose situation for Tessa after they help a god named Gamil and D’abel’s brother, Tsemkhoa. I will be interested in seeing how this plays out and how Tessa ends up dealing with this possibility. Gamil seems like a very chaotic god and it will be interesting to learn more about their abilities.
Overall, this was an interesting world and characters and while I have some issues with it, I also want to know more so I will be reading the next book.
TW: Death and torture; Violence and gore; Somnophilia; death of a pregnant woman briefly mentioned; institutionalization;
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Tess Voss knows that there are dangerous beings in the world and she is determined to take down as many as possible. When she finds an ancient creature chained up in the Welsh countryside, he offers a deal she can’t refuse.
This was an interesting world that was a mixture of fae and Eldritch horror. There are creatures called Auf who impersonate humans after feeding on their bodies. Normal humans don’t normally notice the change, but Tessa can after her first brush with one. While I think this world was interesting, I wish there had been a bit more world building. We get a minimal explanation of what is going on with this world and what the auf are, which made it a bit hard for me to really love this book. Personally, I prefer more of an explanation of the world and characters to happen in the first book, but it seems like the next book will explain more from the author’s note at the end.
Tessa is a hunter of the Auf creatures. She has abandoned everything she knew to destroy them and it has taken a toll on her body. I liked that Tessa was bloodthirsty and didn’t back down from the auf. Her motivations behind fighting though are still very vague, which was a bit disappointing. I wanted to know why she was doing this from the beginning but the few flashbacks we get don’t give a clear answer. Hopefully we see more character backstory from her in the next book.
D’abel was imprisoned for eight hundred years. His freedom from the chains came because he offered a deal with Tessa, but he doesn’t disclose what it involves. D’abel was an interesting character because he is a sea serpent/naga who instantly falls for Tessa. He loves her aggression and hatred of him. I liked D’abel because of his willingness to do anything for Tessa.
Tessa and D’abel’s relationship was an accident on Tessa’s part but not on D’abels. The deal they make links them together with a blood exchange and now they are basically married. It was an interesting concept and I enjoyed it for the most part. I found the transformation process for both of them an interesting addition and wonder what other things it changed for Tessa.
This book ends with a potential why choose situation for Tessa after they help a god named Gamil and D’abel’s brother, Tsemkhoa. I will be interested in seeing how this plays out and how Tessa ends up dealing with this possibility. Gamil seems like a very chaotic god and it will be interesting to learn more about their abilities.
Overall, this was an interesting world and characters and while I have some issues with it, I also want to know more so I will be reading the next book.
TW: Death and torture; Violence and gore; Somnophilia; death of a pregnant woman briefly mentioned; institutionalization;
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
May 10, 2025
Tessa, the female human ex-paramedic lead, accidentally discovered fiends when she was attacked on a call out. Unable to get them out of her mind and sure there must be more in the world, Tessa undertook a one-woman campaign to kill as many as possible before one took her out.
When she kills a fiend in the Welsh countryside, she’s shocked to find what she thinks is a body in the shed outside. Then it moves. Horrified, she realises that it is a non-human, probably non-fiend, being who has been tortured for an unspecified period of time. D’abel(oloa), the male lead, begs for her blood in exchange for loyalty and assistance, swearing to be the help she needs.
But Tessa finds that she’s committed to more than a one-off blood donation. D’abel has committed the rest of his life to her, he’s expecting reciprocation, there are fiends everywhere, and a random godling is also interested in what’s happening…
This story is mostly female lead POV, well written and edited, and a fast-paced, fantastical opening to an adventurous reverse harem romance series, which finished with a happy-for-now ending. I enjoyed Tessa’s grit and determination that hid her compassionate core. I enjoyed D’abel’s joy in her prickly, grumpy exterior and his total commitment to her and her desires. I empathised with the godling’s fears and enjoyed the help they provided. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot. I enjoyed the building character intimacy. Whilst I understand that Tessa didn’t have much knowledge about the situation she was dropped in, I would have appreciated more information about the world this is written in. I am looking forward to the next part of the story, especially since there should now be people able to provide information for Tessa (and the reader).
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
When she kills a fiend in the Welsh countryside, she’s shocked to find what she thinks is a body in the shed outside. Then it moves. Horrified, she realises that it is a non-human, probably non-fiend, being who has been tortured for an unspecified period of time. D’abel(oloa), the male lead, begs for her blood in exchange for loyalty and assistance, swearing to be the help she needs.
But Tessa finds that she’s committed to more than a one-off blood donation. D’abel has committed the rest of his life to her, he’s expecting reciprocation, there are fiends everywhere, and a random godling is also interested in what’s happening…
This story is mostly female lead POV, well written and edited, and a fast-paced, fantastical opening to an adventurous reverse harem romance series, which finished with a happy-for-now ending. I enjoyed Tessa’s grit and determination that hid her compassionate core. I enjoyed D’abel’s joy in her prickly, grumpy exterior and his total commitment to her and her desires. I empathised with the godling’s fears and enjoyed the help they provided. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot. I enjoyed the building character intimacy. Whilst I understand that Tessa didn’t have much knowledge about the situation she was dropped in, I would have appreciated more information about the world this is written in. I am looking forward to the next part of the story, especially since there should now be people able to provide information for Tessa (and the reader).
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
July 2, 2025
The beginning leads with so many questions and mystery. I was constantly like who, what, where and why but it’s done in such a way that you’re not frustrated but intrigued. Etta definitely tortures you a bit by making you wait for your questions to be answered.
The FMC is immediately vicious and I couldn’t wait to find out as to why. Her intimate knowledge with how the body works only added to the appeal (she was an EMT). I may have a crush on her and I’m not too sure what that says about me.
D’abel, kinda sounds like devil but what a dream boat he is. How can someone who looks like he has joker scars AND can unhinge his jaw be so fine?
The writing is so lush, rich and descriptive. After one particular paragraph, I had to stop and message Etta how much I loved this type of writing from her. It’s beautiful, and imaginative without being repetitive or overdone.
It’s dark, complex and eldritch horror with a dose of spicy romance. I really want you, as the reader, to understand what eldritch is and familiarize yourself with it before jumping in because I do feel like certain aspects could be lost to you. You’ll have a greater appreciation for aspects of the story if you do, I promise!
With all that being said this is NOT like Etta’s usual work so don’t go in thinking you’re getting what you have in the past. It’s extremely different and meant to be confusing while the story unravels itself. The story is bizarre, it’s strange, it’s baffling and addicting. I was constantly like “what the fck??!!”. Keep your mind open and give it a shot.
The FMC is immediately vicious and I couldn’t wait to find out as to why. Her intimate knowledge with how the body works only added to the appeal (she was an EMT). I may have a crush on her and I’m not too sure what that says about me.
D’abel, kinda sounds like devil but what a dream boat he is. How can someone who looks like he has joker scars AND can unhinge his jaw be so fine?
The writing is so lush, rich and descriptive. After one particular paragraph, I had to stop and message Etta how much I loved this type of writing from her. It’s beautiful, and imaginative without being repetitive or overdone.
It’s dark, complex and eldritch horror with a dose of spicy romance. I really want you, as the reader, to understand what eldritch is and familiarize yourself with it before jumping in because I do feel like certain aspects could be lost to you. You’ll have a greater appreciation for aspects of the story if you do, I promise!
With all that being said this is NOT like Etta’s usual work so don’t go in thinking you’re getting what you have in the past. It’s extremely different and meant to be confusing while the story unravels itself. The story is bizarre, it’s strange, it’s baffling and addicting. I was constantly like “what the fck??!!”. Keep your mind open and give it a shot.
May 26, 2025
✨ the stabbiest of all stabby heroines
✨ WEIRD
✨ monstrous hero
✨ monster hunter heroine
This was more horror than hot. And more wtf than swoon. This book had me genuinely afraid—in a skin-crawling way—of water. Not deep water. Like, the rain and little waves rolling in at the beach 😳
As someone who reads neither dark romance nor horror (so the following thought is really just a hunch)—this book felt more like a spicy horror-light romance than like a dark or monster romance. Where “spicy” means they bang a lot but in a “bizarre, weird, and kinda horrifying” way.
Because, as cool as our hero was, this story really centred our heroine (and I feel like dark romance implies at least an equal focus on the swoony love interest). This was all about her dark quest, the pathos of her ‘high plains drifter’ (Wales, edition) existence, and what it meant for her to align with one monster to fight other monsters.
I loved the body horror, I loved the pathos. And there was something extra dark about a stabby (quite murderous, tbh) heroine who used to be an EMT. It was like, murder—but make it medically accurate.
Also, the spice in here was weird… but I feel like it’ll be even weirder in book two. I’m ready 😆
✨ WEIRD
✨ monstrous hero
✨ monster hunter heroine
This was more horror than hot. And more wtf than swoon. This book had me genuinely afraid—in a skin-crawling way—of water. Not deep water. Like, the rain and little waves rolling in at the beach 😳
As someone who reads neither dark romance nor horror (so the following thought is really just a hunch)—this book felt more like a spicy horror-light romance than like a dark or monster romance. Where “spicy” means they bang a lot but in a “bizarre, weird, and kinda horrifying” way.
Because, as cool as our hero was, this story really centred our heroine (and I feel like dark romance implies at least an equal focus on the swoony love interest). This was all about her dark quest, the pathos of her ‘high plains drifter’ (Wales, edition) existence, and what it meant for her to align with one monster to fight other monsters.
I loved the body horror, I loved the pathos. And there was something extra dark about a stabby (quite murderous, tbh) heroine who used to be an EMT. It was like, murder—but make it medically accurate.
Also, the spice in here was weird… but I feel like it’ll be even weirder in book two. I’m ready 😆
May 27, 2025
This is a dark romance with Eldritch horror elements, body horror and lots of violence. I absolutely loved it!
Tessa Voss is running out of time, she’s afraid she’ll kill the wrong person, and she’s shocked to find an ancient creature chained up in a shed.
When I first read the blurb I wondered, can I really root for a killer FMC? Yes, yes I can.
I loved Tessa, her journey has twists and turns. We get some flashback chapters that shed light on her situation and straight up left me with the hibbie jibbies!
D’abel has been trapped for centuries, he’s a beautiful otherworldly creature with fangs, a tail, and a desire for Tessa. They need each other and although Tessa doesn’t understand the scope of the bargain she makes with D’abel she knows she’s worse off without him.
I don’t want to give too much away but this book was classic Etta Pierce with great world building and writing that pulls you in. I loved the emotional journey we go on with Tessa and the hopeless romantic that is D’abel.
I received an ARC for this book and this is my honest opinion and review.
Tessa Voss is running out of time, she’s afraid she’ll kill the wrong person, and she’s shocked to find an ancient creature chained up in a shed.
When I first read the blurb I wondered, can I really root for a killer FMC? Yes, yes I can.
I loved Tessa, her journey has twists and turns. We get some flashback chapters that shed light on her situation and straight up left me with the hibbie jibbies!
D’abel has been trapped for centuries, he’s a beautiful otherworldly creature with fangs, a tail, and a desire for Tessa. They need each other and although Tessa doesn’t understand the scope of the bargain she makes with D’abel she knows she’s worse off without him.
I don’t want to give too much away but this book was classic Etta Pierce with great world building and writing that pulls you in. I loved the emotional journey we go on with Tessa and the hopeless romantic that is D’abel.
I received an ARC for this book and this is my honest opinion and review.
May 10, 2025
“Posture all you want, myn chalis. Your hackles rise and my throat goes dry."
Way darker and violent than Etta Pierce usual books ,Bloody bargain is dark,twisted, intriguing and got me so absorved that I was unable to stop reading.
Well written and well edited,excels in the complex world building in a fantastical tale.
Loved the characters, the grit and resilience of the fmc and the mmc is sweet in a monster way(with the blood drinking and violence involved.)
This is the 1st of a triology so end in a cliffhanger with unanswered questions and hints of what's coming.
Being a very dark romance ,it isn't for everyone so check the TW.
I loved it and highly recomend!
Way darker and violent than Etta Pierce usual books ,Bloody bargain is dark,twisted, intriguing and got me so absorved that I was unable to stop reading.
Well written and well edited,excels in the complex world building in a fantastical tale.
Loved the characters, the grit and resilience of the fmc and the mmc is sweet in a monster way(with the blood drinking and violence involved.)
This is the 1st of a triology so end in a cliffhanger with unanswered questions and hints of what's coming.
Being a very dark romance ,it isn't for everyone so check the TW.
I loved it and highly recomend!
May 16, 2025
“The warmth radiating off his chest enraptured me, and his scent. It was whatever Old Spice wished it could be.”
This book was very hard to put down it was literally painful to work and think about it all day!
I love a strong stabby MFC and a sweet for her MMC with some darkness and unalives thrown in the mix!! I’m hooked give me more before my brain imagines the whole series and I disappoint myself 😂
“Her eyes would dilate rather than narrow at my presence. And when she did, she would give me some of her fire instead of spending it all on the hunt. Perhaps she would even hunt me for a change… I would like to be her prey.”
This book was very hard to put down it was literally painful to work and think about it all day!
I love a strong stabby MFC and a sweet for her MMC with some darkness and unalives thrown in the mix!! I’m hooked give me more before my brain imagines the whole series and I disappoint myself 😂
“Her eyes would dilate rather than narrow at my presence. And when she did, she would give me some of her fire instead of spending it all on the hunt. Perhaps she would even hunt me for a change… I would like to be her prey.”
May 25, 2025
The couple that murders monsters together, stays together right? This heroine was extra stabby and pissed off. Think grumpy Buffy, hiking through the gloomy welsh weather to track down and eviscerate demons disguised as humans. Rescues ancient elemental being from who immediately is a total simp for her, pledges his soul and undying fealty, happily contributes to the demon murdering escapades while worshipping her. He’s a creepy snake man or a beautiful water elemental? Or both? Or neither? But the heroine is so deeply connected to him you just kind of accept that he’s 100% hot. This was creepy adjacent. Horror light? Gory in a deliberately off handed way that kind of makes you chuckle? Or maybe I’m just crazy. A unique reading experience that would normally be completely outside of my comfort zone…. Accept that I will follow this author wherever she wants to take me.
June 14, 2025
Holy shit
May 15, 2025
I am a huge fan of Etta Pierce and will say that I’m impressed by the change of genre and delving into new territory for an eldritch themed book with more harsh with dangerous scenarios where survival of the fittest is blatant and there’s intense high stress impact of the world on our main characters.
With that said, I enjoyed the direction of the storyline throughout. I like the creativity of D’abel and the Auf. But I did find that some scenes were hard for me to follow whether it’s a transition of dialogue, rushed explanations, character movement and placement, or what is even happening…for that I knocked it down a couple stars. Because it did cause me to question whether I should finish it. But I did make it to the end which I’m happy to report that the ending did seal my interest to continue the series and see where things go.
With that said, I enjoyed the direction of the storyline throughout. I like the creativity of D’abel and the Auf. But I did find that some scenes were hard for me to follow whether it’s a transition of dialogue, rushed explanations, character movement and placement, or what is even happening…for that I knocked it down a couple stars. Because it did cause me to question whether I should finish it. But I did make it to the end which I’m happy to report that the ending did seal my interest to continue the series and see where things go.
May 16, 2025
I really struggled with this book, which makes it hard to rate because I didn't hate it, but I also didn't truly enjoy it either.
It felt like I was dropped into a story where I was supposed to know what was already going on. It was so jarring, I actually thought I had missed something or was supposed to have done some pre-reading before starting this book. As a result, it made it very difficult for me to connect with the story and characters. I actually restarted the book a couple of times to see if it was a mood thing, and ordinarily I would have DNFd, but I persisted to see if things would become clearer later on. Unfortunately for me, it didn't, and even though I finished, I still felt very detached from the story and confused about it overall.
With that being said, there were aspects of the story I did like, such as the stabby and assertive FMC. Even though the MMCs in the story were supernatural and (seemingly) much more powerful than her, she really was the lead character and star of the show. I also loved Gamil and he ended up being my favourite character in the entire book. He was such a chaotic creature that had me intrigued and made me laugh.
Overall it's an interesting world the author has created and has left me with many questions.
It felt like I was dropped into a story where I was supposed to know what was already going on. It was so jarring, I actually thought I had missed something or was supposed to have done some pre-reading before starting this book. As a result, it made it very difficult for me to connect with the story and characters. I actually restarted the book a couple of times to see if it was a mood thing, and ordinarily I would have DNFd, but I persisted to see if things would become clearer later on. Unfortunately for me, it didn't, and even though I finished, I still felt very detached from the story and confused about it overall.
With that being said, there were aspects of the story I did like, such as the stabby and assertive FMC. Even though the MMCs in the story were supernatural and (seemingly) much more powerful than her, she really was the lead character and star of the show. I also loved Gamil and he ended up being my favourite character in the entire book. He was such a chaotic creature that had me intrigued and made me laugh.
Overall it's an interesting world the author has created and has left me with many questions.
May 23, 2025
I usually love everything Etta writes, but this book just didn't hit the same as her other works for me. I spent a lot of time being confused, which ok, the book is about eldritch gods, I expect some confusion, but there were times where I felt like I wasn't meant to be confused but was. Like Tessa eating only prepackaged foods. She was having that conversation with D'abel after she bought the microwave meals, and I was just so lost as to why she couldn't eat an apple. Was that explained earlier, and I missed it? I finally got it when we got to the psych ward scenes. And then, with the final battle, the fiends could only attack at night, but why? Maybe I still have trauma from Lost and having mysteries dangled in front of me that never get answered, but stuff like that bothered me. Also, is it Ruggles station or Riggles?? Definitely saw both versions in the book.
The sex scenes didn't quite hit for me either. First, she had sex with a watery version of D'abel, and later, she said she opened herself up for him during those times, which was a surprise to me because of the way she fought the first time it happened. Then there's basically a necrophilia scene where Tessa dies mid sex, and later, there's a sort of exhibition scene that just made me laugh. Some poor Welsh man, who is the only human left in his town, is casually eating his shrimp sandwich while Tessa gets eaten out right next to him. Cue more confusion on my part of how glamours work in this world. What the hell was he seeing?
My final gripe was the surprise reverse harem aspect at the end of the book. I don't remember seeing reverse harem mentioned in the marketing, but maybe I missed it. I like reverse harem but only when the whole harem is introduced at the same time, and they all more or less start the relationship at the same time. With this kind of setup, I get really attached to the first couple and want them to stay monogamous. Tessa barely signed up to be married to D'abel to begin with, and now she's gonna have to add Gamil and D'abels brother to that marriage! Sounds like too many eldritch gods for one human to handle lol.
The sex scenes didn't quite hit for me either. First, she had sex with a watery version of D'abel, and later, she said she opened herself up for him during those times, which was a surprise to me because of the way she fought the first time it happened. Then there's basically a necrophilia scene where Tessa dies mid sex, and later, there's a sort of exhibition scene that just made me laugh. Some poor Welsh man, who is the only human left in his town, is casually eating his shrimp sandwich while Tessa gets eaten out right next to him. Cue more confusion on my part of how glamours work in this world. What the hell was he seeing?
My final gripe was the surprise reverse harem aspect at the end of the book. I don't remember seeing reverse harem mentioned in the marketing, but maybe I missed it. I like reverse harem but only when the whole harem is introduced at the same time, and they all more or less start the relationship at the same time. With this kind of setup, I get really attached to the first couple and want them to stay monogamous. Tessa barely signed up to be married to D'abel to begin with, and now she's gonna have to add Gamil and D'abels brother to that marriage! Sounds like too many eldritch gods for one human to handle lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
I'm currently rating this book at 4 stars, and willing to give another half star on faith based on previous works by this author that things will just keep getting better the further into the series I read.
This book is a horror romance with plenty of gore and potential flinch/squick/triggering content for some readers, so please consider your reactions to things like blood play and violence toward pregnant people (non MC) before proceeding. (Check the TW listed by the author for your own comfort.)
This book takes place in the modern world, wherein the MFC has had horrifying traumas that have opened her eyes to things other people gloss over and ignore in their daily lives. To survive in her right(ish) mind, the MFC changes and takes on a self assigned quest of vengeance.
Along the way, the depth of knowledge and occurrences that other humans are ignoring or unable to see becomes apparent as the MFC stumbles into a crumbling world of old gods and eldritch horrors that have been rotting quietly in the dark, unseen and forgotten by modern society.
I enjoyed this read so much - looking for references to various belief systems and pantheons, sprinkled throughout the text like Easter Eggs, daring me to find them and solve the puzzles along with the MFC as she searches for... Revenge? Salvation? Understanding?
The concept of a cinnamon roll eldritch entity deeply amuses me, but here we are. Not all the entities/interests of the MFC are properly gendered, traditionally speaking; in a way that ultimately makes complete sense for the character. Per usual, Ms. Pierce's characterization of "other" beings from aliens to gods is deep and thorough, and her understanding and descriptions of human personalities and struggles manages to be profound and delightfully creepy.
The one quote from Douglas Adams kept coming to mind as I read, so I'll leave it for you here:
“Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.”
I'm really looking forward to future additions to this series.
This book is a horror romance with plenty of gore and potential flinch/squick/triggering content for some readers, so please consider your reactions to things like blood play and violence toward pregnant people (non MC) before proceeding. (Check the TW listed by the author for your own comfort.)
This book takes place in the modern world, wherein the MFC has had horrifying traumas that have opened her eyes to things other people gloss over and ignore in their daily lives. To survive in her right(ish) mind, the MFC changes and takes on a self assigned quest of vengeance.
Along the way, the depth of knowledge and occurrences that other humans are ignoring or unable to see becomes apparent as the MFC stumbles into a crumbling world of old gods and eldritch horrors that have been rotting quietly in the dark, unseen and forgotten by modern society.
I enjoyed this read so much - looking for references to various belief systems and pantheons, sprinkled throughout the text like Easter Eggs, daring me to find them and solve the puzzles along with the MFC as she searches for... Revenge? Salvation? Understanding?
The concept of a cinnamon roll eldritch entity deeply amuses me, but here we are. Not all the entities/interests of the MFC are properly gendered, traditionally speaking; in a way that ultimately makes complete sense for the character. Per usual, Ms. Pierce's characterization of "other" beings from aliens to gods is deep and thorough, and her understanding and descriptions of human personalities and struggles manages to be profound and delightfully creepy.
The one quote from Douglas Adams kept coming to mind as I read, so I'll leave it for you here:
“Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.”
I'm really looking forward to future additions to this series.
May 13, 2025
***Arc Review***
I've really enjoyed each book I've read by Etta Pierce, because she consistently delivers on solid world building, great character development, and her ability to use heavier content in a productive way that makes sense for the story she's telling. Bloody Bargain has nearly all of these elements, but since this is a series that will follow the same heroine, Tessa, over multiple books, the character growth is more limited. This first book, we're mainly getting introduced to her and the journey she's on, with brief glimpses into her backstory. We can see that she is guarded as a result of past trauma, and even as a reader, we're kept at arm's length. It makes it a little harder to connect with her, but I think this is deliberate and will make it that much more impactful in later books when we see more emotional vulnerability from her. I love that Tessa is competent, resourceful, self-aware, and has a dry sense of humor (though I would've really liked to see more of that!)
D'abel is lost for her pretty much from the beginning. He accepts Tessa as she is, prickly exterior and all, and his chapters are full of striking prose that had me slowing down to really process it all, instead of speeding through like I normally do:
"Unguarded, she was blinding. Vulnerable like porcelain, but just as enduring and pristine as the relics of hundreds and thousands of years beneath my waves. I shivered, my spines snapping with a bright cacophony as they clashed like giants' swords.
I wanted to shatter her."
Just like with Tessa, I really wanted to learn more about D'abel individually, separate from his feelings for her, so I'm hoping we get more of that in the other books. The world that Pierce has built here is so interesting, and I finished the book very curious about what comes next. I'm really looking forward to learning more about this world and each of the characters!
I've really enjoyed each book I've read by Etta Pierce, because she consistently delivers on solid world building, great character development, and her ability to use heavier content in a productive way that makes sense for the story she's telling. Bloody Bargain has nearly all of these elements, but since this is a series that will follow the same heroine, Tessa, over multiple books, the character growth is more limited. This first book, we're mainly getting introduced to her and the journey she's on, with brief glimpses into her backstory. We can see that she is guarded as a result of past trauma, and even as a reader, we're kept at arm's length. It makes it a little harder to connect with her, but I think this is deliberate and will make it that much more impactful in later books when we see more emotional vulnerability from her. I love that Tessa is competent, resourceful, self-aware, and has a dry sense of humor (though I would've really liked to see more of that!)
D'abel is lost for her pretty much from the beginning. He accepts Tessa as she is, prickly exterior and all, and his chapters are full of striking prose that had me slowing down to really process it all, instead of speeding through like I normally do:
"Unguarded, she was blinding. Vulnerable like porcelain, but just as enduring and pristine as the relics of hundreds and thousands of years beneath my waves. I shivered, my spines snapping with a bright cacophony as they clashed like giants' swords.
I wanted to shatter her."
Just like with Tessa, I really wanted to learn more about D'abel individually, separate from his feelings for her, so I'm hoping we get more of that in the other books. The world that Pierce has built here is so interesting, and I finished the book very curious about what comes next. I'm really looking forward to learning more about this world and each of the characters!
January 7, 2026
Spoilers:
Okay this sounds kind of mean. Sorry in advance.
First half was 4/5 stars, second half is 2/5 with the exception of Gamil, who I grew to like quite a bit. I felt the quality dropped significantly around 70% onwards, with the nadir being Gamil making a Monty Python reference that Tessa then calls out? And the very next paragraph has an Anakin Skywalker reference. Gamil might be immortal, but they had just waded through lava in a spectacular show of loyalty to their newfound allies and temporarily destroyed their body.
So, really? Contemporary references at what was meant to be a pivotal display of character growth? Felt very “millennial moment,” to be honest. The first half, though, I really enjoyed, especially Tessa finding, freeing, and tending to D’abel. And I liked the throuple aspect the author threw in towards the end; I thought it was cute, and I wish she’d expanded some more on it.
Overall, it felt barely coherent after the 50% mark, and I frequently felt confused as to what was going on and what anyone’s goal was. I just assumed “killing more aufs” since Tessa’s so tortured or whatever. She’s not… useful at all in the final fight. She didn’t even need to be there to be honest; D’abel had the whole thing in-hand. All she did was fight one or two auf stragglers and then run into Gamil after they did the heavy lifting with the other elemental. She was a brooding, but sensible, protagonist at the start, but turned into a crying damsel clutching D’abel’s skirt after they got to the yellow suite, in my opinion.
Also why was Tessa, an American, in Wales in the first place? Why were 2 of allegedly only 8 elementals in the entire world, who are also brothers, who are held captive for centuries for the sake of “The Veil”, (barely explained) kept like a freaking mile away from each other?
Decent book until it’s not. So I guess a 3/5? Probably wouldn’t read again.
Okay this sounds kind of mean. Sorry in advance.
First half was 4/5 stars, second half is 2/5 with the exception of Gamil, who I grew to like quite a bit. I felt the quality dropped significantly around 70% onwards, with the nadir being Gamil making a Monty Python reference that Tessa then calls out? And the very next paragraph has an Anakin Skywalker reference. Gamil might be immortal, but they had just waded through lava in a spectacular show of loyalty to their newfound allies and temporarily destroyed their body.
So, really? Contemporary references at what was meant to be a pivotal display of character growth? Felt very “millennial moment,” to be honest. The first half, though, I really enjoyed, especially Tessa finding, freeing, and tending to D’abel. And I liked the throuple aspect the author threw in towards the end; I thought it was cute, and I wish she’d expanded some more on it.
Overall, it felt barely coherent after the 50% mark, and I frequently felt confused as to what was going on and what anyone’s goal was. I just assumed “killing more aufs” since Tessa’s so tortured or whatever. She’s not… useful at all in the final fight. She didn’t even need to be there to be honest; D’abel had the whole thing in-hand. All she did was fight one or two auf stragglers and then run into Gamil after they did the heavy lifting with the other elemental. She was a brooding, but sensible, protagonist at the start, but turned into a crying damsel clutching D’abel’s skirt after they got to the yellow suite, in my opinion.
Also why was Tessa, an American, in Wales in the first place? Why were 2 of allegedly only 8 elementals in the entire world, who are also brothers, who are held captive for centuries for the sake of “The Veil”, (barely explained) kept like a freaking mile away from each other?
Decent book until it’s not. So I guess a 3/5? Probably wouldn’t read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
I loved this book! I was a bit scared when I started reading the first chapter. I thought this would be like every other reverse harem/monster romance book. But then I got to the end of that first chapter and I was hooked! This book is different and very much better than other books in the same genre!
I loved Tessa's character. She was traumatised, but determined. She had a mission and nothing could make her forget it (not even a sexy monster, imagine that!) She felt like a real human being, which was really nice.
I also loved how the romance was mutually beneficial to both characters. D'abel wasn't there to suddenly save Tessa because she mysteriously seemed to forget how to protect herself. No! She accepted a risk because she saw how it could help her, and she stayed badass all along.
The exposition in this story was amazing. I liked getting a clearer picture as the story developed. It was well done! So well done, I didn't grow frustrated because of a lack of information. I thought I had most pieces of the puzzle, right until bombshells appeared right in my lap!
***If you're the type to not want to read the content warnings, then you might want to skip the rest of this comment. I don't spoil anything, I just discuss the content warnings.***
***
Finally, I started reading the story before looking up the content warning. When I saw voraphilia as a tag, I felt dread. I don't like voraphilia, and I wouldn't have picked up this book if I'd seen the tag before I'd started reading... but I was already so invested that I kept going, telling myself I could just stop reading whenever it got too intense or just skip ahead. Turns out, I was scared for nothing. It was really mild. Like, really, really mild. So mild, I even wondered if it was worth using the tag at all. So if the tag scares you? I think you should still give it a shot!
I loved Tessa's character. She was traumatised, but determined. She had a mission and nothing could make her forget it (not even a sexy monster, imagine that!) She felt like a real human being, which was really nice.
I also loved how the romance was mutually beneficial to both characters. D'abel wasn't there to suddenly save Tessa because she mysteriously seemed to forget how to protect herself. No! She accepted a risk because she saw how it could help her, and she stayed badass all along.
The exposition in this story was amazing. I liked getting a clearer picture as the story developed. It was well done! So well done, I didn't grow frustrated because of a lack of information. I thought I had most pieces of the puzzle, right until bombshells appeared right in my lap!
***If you're the type to not want to read the content warnings, then you might want to skip the rest of this comment. I don't spoil anything, I just discuss the content warnings.***
***
Finally, I started reading the story before looking up the content warning. When I saw voraphilia as a tag, I felt dread. I don't like voraphilia, and I wouldn't have picked up this book if I'd seen the tag before I'd started reading... but I was already so invested that I kept going, telling myself I could just stop reading whenever it got too intense or just skip ahead. Turns out, I was scared for nothing. It was really mild. Like, really, really mild. So mild, I even wondered if it was worth using the tag at all. So if the tag scares you? I think you should still give it a shot!
November 11, 2025
Oh Etta, I love your stories. Adore them. And now I am so utterly confused. What just happened?
I think I have a pretty good imagination, but I found so many of these scenes difficult to follow, the characters blending in with each other and becoming muddled. I didn't even know whose POV we were experiencing at certain points, especially when we suddenly switched to a sibling.
But mostly, I just struggled to follow the story line and there were several points where I had no idea what was happening. There are some continuity issues too, which didn't help, but the dark but whimsical (is that the right word?) vibe that was going on here didn't work for me. I don't understand even what D'abel or his brethren are - and yes, I realise there's supposed to be some mystery - but they shift form so often and discuss everything in such a vague way, even the basics eluded me. I need some motivation, some background, some reason for who they are and why they're here. Also, what the heck are fiends? Why are so many in Wales? Where did they come from? Where are they going? What do they actually want? How does she always recognise them without any context?
There was also an entire lack of character development. Apart from one flashback, which I guess is the why to Tessa's current situation, this is all we get. Is this the entire reason she threw her former life away? Why is she in Wales of all places? (YES to the Celtic rep, but still).
I cannot however say that I am not still intrigued. I love a monster-mystery-romance, and the ideas proposed here are seriously cool. I am however, not going to reach for the next one.
I think I have a pretty good imagination, but I found so many of these scenes difficult to follow, the characters blending in with each other and becoming muddled. I didn't even know whose POV we were experiencing at certain points, especially when we suddenly switched to a sibling.
But mostly, I just struggled to follow the story line and there were several points where I had no idea what was happening. There are some continuity issues too, which didn't help, but the dark but whimsical (is that the right word?) vibe that was going on here didn't work for me. I don't understand even what D'abel or his brethren are - and yes, I realise there's supposed to be some mystery - but they shift form so often and discuss everything in such a vague way, even the basics eluded me. I need some motivation, some background, some reason for who they are and why they're here. Also, what the heck are fiends? Why are so many in Wales? Where did they come from? Where are they going? What do they actually want? How does she always recognise them without any context?
There was also an entire lack of character development. Apart from one flashback, which I guess is the why to Tessa's current situation, this is all we get. Is this the entire reason she threw her former life away? Why is she in Wales of all places? (YES to the Celtic rep, but still).
I cannot however say that I am not still intrigued. I love a monster-mystery-romance, and the ideas proposed here are seriously cool. I am however, not going to reach for the next one.
May 15, 2025
A great start to the series!
The FMC is cool and badass. I found her interesting throughout the book, apart from her romance with the MMC; all her choices make sense for someone in her situation.
The first chapter immediately sets the tone: intense and unexpected. The pace then takes its time, and it works very well. We quietly explore a mystical, soggy Wales. You feel as if you've been drenched to the skin. The atmosphere is truly immersive.
A few weak points for me:
- There's little lore developed in this tome, but I imagine (and hope) that's just a taste.
- The romance seemed a little too insta-love, despite the author's visible efforts to avoid it. As a result, I was a little confused as to the level of real intensity between the two characters.
But despite these two hiccups, I'm eager to read the sequel. This tome lays a solid foundation and promises a very interesting universe and sequel!
The FMC is cool and badass. I found her interesting throughout the book, apart from her romance with the MMC; all her choices make sense for someone in her situation.
The first chapter immediately sets the tone: intense and unexpected. The pace then takes its time, and it works very well. We quietly explore a mystical, soggy Wales. You feel as if you've been drenched to the skin. The atmosphere is truly immersive.
A few weak points for me:
- There's little lore developed in this tome, but I imagine (and hope) that's just a taste.
- The romance seemed a little too insta-love, despite the author's visible efforts to avoid it. As a result, I was a little confused as to the level of real intensity between the two characters.
But despite these two hiccups, I'm eager to read the sequel. This tome lays a solid foundation and promises a very interesting universe and sequel!
May 19, 2025
Tessa is a paramedic human who realizes not all is right in the world when attacked while helping a pregnant person. She comes to find there are fiends (Auf) that possess humans and she begins to hunt them. While in her hunt she comes across an elemental named D'abel who promises to help her, for a price.
I really enjoyed this book but it left me with questions. I'd love to know the back stories of the Elementals and Gamil (the God). Also, the ending, finding out what Gamil did and it sounds like the brother is a part of it too? I don't want spoil it but want to say go into this not expecting your usual romance, but still a deliciously delivered romance.
The writing of this was almost lyrical? Some of it I had to go back and reread it to fully understand. But it feels purposely written this way due to the MMC is centuries old.
Also fair waring! This book is a horror romance. Its still very much a romance but there are horror elements. Gore, violence, and it starts from the 1st chapter!!
If you've read other books by Etta Pierce, you can still feel the essence of her writing but this story is nothing like the Intersolar Union series. Though it's similar in that the MMC is NOT human.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I CAN'T wait to read more about Gamil. I love D'abel (MMC) but Gamil caught my attention from the first scene and has a chokehold on me for some reason. So I'm excited for more!
I really enjoyed this book but it left me with questions. I'd love to know the back stories of the Elementals and Gamil (the God). Also, the ending, finding out what Gamil did and it sounds like the brother is a part of it too? I don't want spoil it but want to say go into this not expecting your usual romance, but still a deliciously delivered romance.
The writing of this was almost lyrical? Some of it I had to go back and reread it to fully understand. But it feels purposely written this way due to the MMC is centuries old.
Also fair waring! This book is a horror romance. Its still very much a romance but there are horror elements. Gore, violence, and it starts from the 1st chapter!!
If you've read other books by Etta Pierce, you can still feel the essence of her writing but this story is nothing like the Intersolar Union series. Though it's similar in that the MMC is NOT human.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I CAN'T wait to read more about Gamil. I love D'abel (MMC) but Gamil caught my attention from the first scene and has a chokehold on me for some reason. So I'm excited for more!
June 6, 2025
Bloody Bargain is the first in a completely new series by Etta Pierce. As a huge fan of her space books I was really excited to try this first book about a water elemental, eldritch horrors, and a serial killer FMC who has to take out fiends before they destroy the people they mimic/possess (actually not entirely sure, and want to know more!)
Overall the story was really interesting and engaging and meeting Gamil and another character at the very end of the book sets up the why choose universe well, but I do hope the second (and however many else there are) are a bit more fleshed (ha) out so that we're not left guessing too much. Of course sometimes a story doesn't have all the answers and that's okay, but for this universe, too many questions I think will detract from the experience of actually enjoying Tessa's journey, especially as someone who faced terrible trauma and now can't trust anyone around her. I'm also very curious to learn more about the men and the larger world. Why are there fiends at all, what's happening with the other gods? Are there other fiend hunters and if so will Tessa run into any?
I found all the characters that we did meet really interesting and compelling and assume that the second book will do a lot in developing them further (common in why choose series).
It is definitely horror romance and gory so if that's not for you this book won't be either, but if you've liked Etta's work before, this is definitely worth trying!
Overall the story was really interesting and engaging and meeting Gamil and another character at the very end of the book sets up the why choose universe well, but I do hope the second (and however many else there are) are a bit more fleshed (ha) out so that we're not left guessing too much. Of course sometimes a story doesn't have all the answers and that's okay, but for this universe, too many questions I think will detract from the experience of actually enjoying Tessa's journey, especially as someone who faced terrible trauma and now can't trust anyone around her. I'm also very curious to learn more about the men and the larger world. Why are there fiends at all, what's happening with the other gods? Are there other fiend hunters and if so will Tessa run into any?
I found all the characters that we did meet really interesting and compelling and assume that the second book will do a lot in developing them further (common in why choose series).
It is definitely horror romance and gory so if that's not for you this book won't be either, but if you've liked Etta's work before, this is definitely worth trying!
May 16, 2025
The first book in author Etta Pierce’s Spite and Spirits series, Bloody Bargain will grab the readers attention within the first few pages and keep the momentum going in a dark romance that opens up an amazingly crafted world filled with elemental creatures, and fallen Gods who are immersed in prose both lyrical, and erotic.
This story became a feast for all the senses as the reader is introduced to it’s lead protagonist former EMT Tessa Voss who driven by events from her past became the monster hunter she now is. Monsters who hide behind the guise of human flesh to spread their evil through humanity.
It is while in Wales tracking one of those fiends she soon finds her fate entangled with that of ancient elemental creature D’abel.
If this introduction is any indication of how the series will progress the reader is for an amazing journey.
Loved Tessa and her boundless faith in her cause even as her personal vulnerabilities crept in at times with niggles of self doubt. All said and done she was one tough chick.
Enjoyed the whole story and can’t wait to see where it leads next. HFN
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story became a feast for all the senses as the reader is introduced to it’s lead protagonist former EMT Tessa Voss who driven by events from her past became the monster hunter she now is. Monsters who hide behind the guise of human flesh to spread their evil through humanity.
It is while in Wales tracking one of those fiends she soon finds her fate entangled with that of ancient elemental creature D’abel.
If this introduction is any indication of how the series will progress the reader is for an amazing journey.
Loved Tessa and her boundless faith in her cause even as her personal vulnerabilities crept in at times with niggles of self doubt. All said and done she was one tough chick.
Enjoyed the whole story and can’t wait to see where it leads next. HFN
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 24, 2025
Etta has a unique ability to build a picture so vivid you could practically be standing in the room. This is her first step outside her Intersolar Union series and its offshoot. If you're looking for the poetry and strangling darkness of a gothic Eldrich horror, you've come to the right place. If you're looking for a cinnamon roll MMC who isn't like everyone else, you've come to the right place. If you want more of Etta's magical worlds, this is the book for you.
I have only two concerns. First, while the world was beautiful and she was able to build it in such a magical way, I found myself drifting off when I was reading. Her writing in this book/series is so poetic it did take me a little out of the story. This is a complicated concern as the poetry of the book is what gave it that Eldritch horror vibe.
My second concern is the romance between the MMC and the FMC felt sudden and late in the game. The first ~75% of the book she was hesitant and expecting him to murder her at any moment. Then **boom** they love each other. D'abel was unquestioningly into Tessa, but I did not get the same vibe from her toward him.
Overall, it was very well written and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get another glimpse into Etta's mind.
I have only two concerns. First, while the world was beautiful and she was able to build it in such a magical way, I found myself drifting off when I was reading. Her writing in this book/series is so poetic it did take me a little out of the story. This is a complicated concern as the poetry of the book is what gave it that Eldritch horror vibe.
My second concern is the romance between the MMC and the FMC felt sudden and late in the game. The first ~75% of the book she was hesitant and expecting him to murder her at any moment. Then **boom** they love each other. D'abel was unquestioningly into Tessa, but I did not get the same vibe from her toward him.
Overall, it was very well written and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get another glimpse into Etta's mind.
May 23, 2025
This eldritch horror romance book had me in a chokehold in the best, most haunted way. It’s a dark, complex love story with some serious trigger warnings, and a cast of tortured, emotionally messy characters I couldn’t look away from.
The story unfolds through multiple first-person POVs and flashbacks, and that structure worked so well. It felt like I was piecing the main character’s life together bit by bit, through her visceral emotions and painful memories. It was intimate, raw, and gorgeously unsettling.
The romance is not your usual setup. It's weird, symbiotic, a little terrifying, strangely beautiful, and hints at becoming open in the future. I was fully invested in the “what the hell is going on but also don’t stop” vibes.
Also, Etta Pierce’s writing? Stunning as always. It’s poetic and eerie and drenched in atmosphere. And while the horror is real and heavy, it’s part of the emotional core of the story and never feels gratuitous. It’s both a compelling, satisfying story and clearly the beginning of a much larger arc.
If you’re into beautifully gritty, broken characters, slow-building dark romance, and stories that have a dream-like quality, this one’s for you.
The story unfolds through multiple first-person POVs and flashbacks, and that structure worked so well. It felt like I was piecing the main character’s life together bit by bit, through her visceral emotions and painful memories. It was intimate, raw, and gorgeously unsettling.
The romance is not your usual setup. It's weird, symbiotic, a little terrifying, strangely beautiful, and hints at becoming open in the future. I was fully invested in the “what the hell is going on but also don’t stop” vibes.
Also, Etta Pierce’s writing? Stunning as always. It’s poetic and eerie and drenched in atmosphere. And while the horror is real and heavy, it’s part of the emotional core of the story and never feels gratuitous. It’s both a compelling, satisfying story and clearly the beginning of a much larger arc.
If you’re into beautifully gritty, broken characters, slow-building dark romance, and stories that have a dream-like quality, this one’s for you.
May 26, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Etta Pierce for a hot minute. I’ve reread the ICU series multiple times, so I was pumped to see new content from her. This book departs from her usual genre, but Etta’s writing is just as good as her other series. This book had me hooked from page one and didn’t let go. It’s dark, weird, and totally beautiful in that “why do I love this creepy, emotional chaos so much?” kind of way.
Our FMC, Tessa, has so much depth. We’ve seen morally grey MMCs, but a morally FMC is definitely more rare. It was a super refreshing, interesting twist.
The story isn’t told in a straight line, and I actually loved that. You get flashbacks, raw emotions, little clues that slowly piece things together.
Bloody Bargain is lyrical and eerie and just dripping with atmosphere. The horror stuff is definitely there, but it’s more emotional than jump-scare—it hits you deep and lingers.
This isn’t your typical love story. It’s strange and intense and maybe a little scary, but Etta is talented enough to make it work.
If you’re into dark vibes, emotionally wrecked characters, and love stories that aren’t easy but feel real, this book is gonna live in your brain rent-free.
Our FMC, Tessa, has so much depth. We’ve seen morally grey MMCs, but a morally FMC is definitely more rare. It was a super refreshing, interesting twist.
The story isn’t told in a straight line, and I actually loved that. You get flashbacks, raw emotions, little clues that slowly piece things together.
Bloody Bargain is lyrical and eerie and just dripping with atmosphere. The horror stuff is definitely there, but it’s more emotional than jump-scare—it hits you deep and lingers.
This isn’t your typical love story. It’s strange and intense and maybe a little scary, but Etta is talented enough to make it work.
If you’re into dark vibes, emotionally wrecked characters, and love stories that aren’t easy but feel real, this book is gonna live in your brain rent-free.
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